P

Politico

March 2026

Gilead accused of blocking global access to HIV drug

Mark McAfeeceo
The easy button for me right now is a voluntary recall,
In terms of path, we’re actively engaging with Committee members and leadership, and we do see a potential lane for this to move — whether through regular order or as part of a broader health package,
As additional evidence and facts are developed, we will continue to update the public and evaluate all potential tools to further protect consumers,
We are working closely with partners — including the Global Fund, [the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief] and others — to accelerate delivery at unprecedented speed and at no profit to Gilead until generic manufacturers are able to meet demand,
Gilead spends a lot of money cultivating an image of allyship with communities affected by HIV,
Secretary Kennedy’s connection to Raw Farm and FDA’s lack of action here raise serious questions,
Tirana Hassanlawyer and nonprofit executive
The plan to reach 2 million people over three years is a fraction of the estimated need,

Vance to publish book on his conversion to Catholicism in June

Vice President JD Vance is releasing a new book about his journey to rediscover his religious faith and his conversion to Catholicism in adulthood, joining the 2028 presidential candidate book buzz

JD VanceuS Vice President
I’ve been writing this book for a long time, and I’m honored to finally be able to share the full story with you all,

Mamdani is rescinding New York City government’s TikTok ban

Former Mayor Eric Adams enacted the ban in 2023 out of security concerns sparked by the app’s ties to the Chinese government

Supreme Court strikes down conversion therapy ban

Chiles isn’t licensed to prescribe medicine or perform surgery, so the ruling does not directly impact states’ power to regulate those sorts of interventions

Ketanji Brown Jackson'Justice
Chiles is not speaking in the ether; she is providing therapy to minors as a licensed healthcare professional,
It threatens to impair States’ ability to regulate the provision of medical care in any respect. It extends the Constitution into uncharted territory in an utterly irrational fashion. And it ultimately risks grave harm to Americans’ health and wellbeing,
Medical consensus, too, is not static; it evolves and always has. A prevailing standard of care may reflect what most practitioners believe today, but it cannot mark the outer boundary of what they may say tomorrow,
It does not matter what the State’s preferred side is,

Trump says Strait of Hormuz is the world’s problem: ‘Go get your own oil!’

Donald TrumpuS President
All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT,

Swalwell basks in Trump’s ire

Swalwell, who was surrounded by SEIU and UFCW union workers as he spoke, accused President Donald Trump and Patel of “trying to interfere in the California election” and attempting to “sneak two Republican loyalists” through the state’s open June 2 primary

The Congressman has never been accused of wrongdoing in that matter and your attempt to release the file is a transparent attempt to smear him and undermine his campaign for Governor of California,
Eric Swalwellcongressman
There’s only one candidate that Trump fears will be the next governor of California.”
Carmela CoylecEO
Congressman Swalwell has a long track record of supporting policies that remove barriers to care for Californians,
Still, the number of major Newsom donors who have also donated at least $1,000 this election cycle remains relatively small, suggesting that many of them could be waiting for the herd to narrow more,
The fact that the corporate special interests supporting Swalwell are spending $25 million against us tells you two things: They’re afraid Tom Steyer is going to really change things, and they’re confident that Eric Swalwell won’t,
As Ammar has said, being a Palestinian and Mexican American, he knows the harm racist words can cause, and the language on this page from nearly 20 years ago does not reflect his values. The NRCC knows he will stand up to Trump, that’s why they will try anything they can — including employing the right wing media — to stop our momentum.”
Eric Swalwellcongressman
The president dreams of a servant in Sacramento, a Western White House,

Simpson gets some ‘MAHA’ love

Oliver and our DSA comrades in South Florida are leading the electoral fight for working people across our state,
Jon Maples is a fighter for Palm Beach County,
Cuba crisis: Relief from Russian oil won’t be felt for weeks, will last a few days,
Natalia Jaramilloresearcher
Cubans in Central Florida feel a change is coming, but concerns about deportations also rise,
TMH withdraws lawsuit against former patient who stayed after discharge,
James Uthmeier says alleged gator shooter could face prison time,
Florida Democrats profess midterm optimism. ‘The reaction we’re getting from people is amazing,
Supreme Court won’t reconsider ‘Tiger King’ murder-for-hire conviction,

The next tests of Trump’s power

But his base is so committed that issues are beside the point,
The president has put his clout on the line,
I know Josh will be a strong voice against Donald Trump’s reckless agenda that’s hurting middle-class Iowans,
Josh Gersteinlegal ace
Eastman is still battling the fallout,
Donald Trumppresident
Over the past six months, I have poured my heart and soul into this project with my incredible team,

Culture war, eh?

Ford is on a mission to spread his “Fortress Am-Can” gospel stateside as the trade war continues to weigh down automotive, steel and aluminum industries at home

We are confident that we will keep the cultural exemption, as we always have, and we see no reason for that to change,
Mark Carneyprime Minister
It’s our stories, it’s our emotions, it’s our core,
New construction activity is projected to decline throughout 2026 to 2028, falling well below the historical 10-year average,
Mark Carneyprime Minister
Mr. Ma has apologized for his comments, as he should have,

The brutal politics of property tax reform

Scott Bessenttreasury Secretary
As the tax refunds come out, as the withholding changes, people will feel the difference,
He’s trying to make himself out to be a brawler on behalf of the business class,
Steven Fulopfailed gubernatorial candidate
Of course, our employee base is different than working for the [Hotel and Gaming Trades Council] or Carpenters [union] or whatever, right? They’re monolithic, told to do something, they’re gonna do it,
Raj is proud to have been in public life long enough to learn more and progress, and almost two decades later, his position has certainly done so,
We have to be concerned when one individual pledges to spend five million dollars to buy a congressional seat for his favorite candidate, and drown out the voices of others,
Steven Fulopfailed gubernatorial candidate
You don’t have to necessarily be college-educated … to weigh something,
Zohran Mamdanimayor
He is such a fucking charmer, it’s unbelievable,

Mamdani confronts the politics of property taxes as rent freeze looms

Three months into his term, Mamdani appears well-positioned to win a rent freeze for some 2 million tenants who live in rent-stabilized homes, with a key vote slated for June

It was a lot of campaign rhetoric,
The conventional wisdom is that the time when property tax reform is most likely is when you have a strong economy and revenues are growing strongly, so you have the opportunity to combine the reform with a tax deduction,
Lincoln Ecclesbrooklyn landlord
There’s not enough money now to maintain the place,

DHS braces for shutdown ‘into the summer’

John Hoevendemocratic Senator
I think you’re hearing some of that from senators.”
Harvey LevintMZ executive producer
Last week, we interviewed a TSA worker who is struggling to survive without a paycheck, and it outraged us so much we wanted to use our platforms to show how Congress — Dems AND Republicans — have betrayed us,
Remember in the last shutdown, it was airport chaos that forced the seven Democrats to switch sides and fund the government,

Claims for new Trump tax break for overtime pay soar, testing Democrats

Chris Van Hollenunited States Senator from Maryland
This legislation is designed to make sure that individuals benefiting from those kind of provisions do at least as well, or better,
Any of these things like tips or overtime can be subject to abuse, and I’d like to get the numbers out of Joint Tax as to exactly how this is being used and by whom,

The DHS shutdown might never end

With TSA workers getting paid and airport security lines shortening, pressure for a deal is also easing

Trump’s skyscraper presidential library looms over Miami in newly released images

One image features a hallway with plaques of past presidents, similar to the “walk of fame” Trump installed at the West Colonnade of the White House

New York City council member and Hochul staffer targeted in federal probe, report says

She is the council member’s sister and, according to her LinkedIn profile, serves as the assistant secretary of intergovernmental affairs in New York City for the governor

She Spoke Out About Gaza. Now She Can’t Use a Credit Card.

As she spoke, her tone flicked between professorial bromides on international law and flares of outrage as she detailed how some of the world’s largest companies — including giants of American tech, energy and defense — were aiding Israel in the starvation and killing of Palestinians of Gaza

The United States has imposed sanctions on you.”
What are you gonna do?”
This fury comes because I poked the bear,

Fuel for the unaffordability fire

The national gasoline average climbed $1.01 during that same time period

Tom Klozaoil analyst
It ranges from the guy who does it by feel, who says, ‘I think I can get away with this number’ … to a lot of sophisticated software that tells people where to price,
Tom Klozaoil analyst
At the moment, it’s incredibly profitable,
We could continue to call out the President of the United States’ recklessness,
Tom Klozaoil analyst
There’s not much they can do short term,
The sales tax and the environmental fees buy something for us, they buy better roads, and they buy cleaner air,

With DeSantis signature, Trump airport renaming comes in for landing

The Florida Senate’s initial budget recommendation included $2.75 million to help the airport pay for signage, branding elements and website updates associated with the renaming

Fentrice Driskellan American attorney and Democratic Party politician currently serving as minority leader and representing the 67th House district in Hillsborough County in the Florida House of Representatives
Your money is being misused to celebrate the man who caused gas prices to rise to over four dollars a gallon, grocery costs to shoot up, and health care prices to spike,
Think of New York’s JFK or Washington’s Reagan National,

BGR adds Kennedy, Arrington aide

Goli SheikholeslamipOLITICO CEO
Jonathan’s new and unconventional thinking convinced all of us that he was the person most likely to see possibilities that others do not and bring our forward-looking vision to life,
We spent a lot of time looking at different policies under consideration for the last package, and I expect a lot of those same policies — particularly as we’re looking for offsets on the package — to come back up,

Affordability agenda pulls blue states from green goals

Goli SheikholeslamipOLITICO CEO
Jonathan’s new and unconventional thinking convinced all of us that he was the person most likely to see possibilities that others do not and bring our forward-looking vision to life,
So, we’re on an energy island here in the U.S.,... and that’s good for the economy and good for customers.”

Japan’s quiet line to Tehran

As Pakistan positions itself as the host of high-stakes talks aimed at ending the Iran war, a quieter diplomatic channel has been humming in the background: one that runs through Tokyo

Sanae Takaichijapanese Prime Minister
I will judge the appropriate timing for holding talks based on the national interest from a comprehensive standpoint,
Abigail Jacksonwhite House spokeswoman
The Supreme Court has the opportunity to review the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause and restore the meaning of citizenship in the United States to its original public meaning,
JD Vancehusband, Vice President
I’m not his staffer. I’m not involved in this in any professional sense. … There’s no expectation that we are going to see eye to eye on everything,
We try to communicate the concerns of not only Japan but also the entire world — energy security of the world,
As the President stated, the United States is in serious discussions with the new leaders in Iran and great progress has been made. The President is confident that a deal will be reached soon, and has been clear about the consequences if one is not.”
We are talking to ‘the right people’ within the regime and they want to make a deal very badly,